Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.8(346)Great Sacandaga Lake
A popular recreation standby, this 29-mile-long reservoir offers camping, boating & fishing.
4.8(22)First Connecticut Lake
Well-known, peaceful lake surrounded by mountains & hills drawing anglers for year-round fishing.
4.8(234)South Holston Lake
This 7,580-acre reservoir operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority offers fishing & boating.
4.8(41)Mystic Lakes
Lakes & adjacent state park for fishing, swimming, sailing & rowing in a scenic, natural setting.
4.8(189)Lake Union
Picturesque freshwater lake providing a popular boating spot & an annual wooden boat festival.
4.8(149)Lake Eola Park Peninsula
Downtown park & green space for lakefront walking & jogging, plus swan boats & amphitheater shows.
4.8(64)Philpott Lake
Recreation area with forested hiking paths, lakeside camping, boat launches & fishing.
4.7(360)Brookville Lake
Cycling & hiking trails loop around this lake, popular for camping, fishing & seasonal hunting.
4.7(27)East Branch Reservoir
525-acre, tree-ringed water reservoir with miles of hiking trails on the western edge.
4.7(534)Lake Champlain
The nation's sixth largest lake, popular for boating, ice fishing & exploring nearby towns & parks.
4.7(119)Houghton Lake
Recreational lake providing campsites, resorts, swimming beaches, boat launches & fishing spots.
4.7(287)Sloan Lake
Fishing & boating in a city lake encircled by a public park with a trail for cycling & walking.
4.7(5,044)Lake Sammamish State Park
512-acre park with ample waterfront access & boat launch, plus seasonal kayak rentals & picnicking.
4.7(205)Chautauqua Lake
Large lake with shoreline parks, popular for recreational boating, fishing & dinner cruises.
4.7(30)Croton Falls Reservoir
Artificial lake, part of NYC's water supply, with boating, marinas & fishing for brown trout.
4.7(71)North–South Lake
Popular recreation area with hiking trails, swimming beaches, small boat rentals & a campground.
4.7(157)Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Long, wooded shoreline dotted with beaches & campsites, offering hiking, fishing & hunting.
4.7(181)Yellowstone Lake
Enormous freshwater national-park lake providing scenic hiking trails, fishing spots & boat rentals.
4.7(232)Lake Needwood
Scenic 75-acre boating & fishing lake in a regional park surrounded by forest & hiking trails.
4.7(180)Grand Lake O' the Cherokees
With 1,300 miles of shoreline & a marina, this lake is a popular backdrop for fishing & parasailing.
Trip packing checklist
Gear for Lakes
Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.
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Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.
Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.
A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.
Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.
Tips for Visiting Lakes
Check for boat launch facilities and fees
Obtain required fishing licenses before arrival
Be aware of lake-specific regulations and restrictions
Monitor water quality reports before swimming